Happy April!

April is one of my favorite months of the year, because it is Earth month and Poetry month. It is a time to reflect through the words of poets from the past and present, and to appreciate nature, using art and activism to express the injustices, and do all we can to protect it. Below you will find some important dates to save this month and links for each on how to make the most of the day and how to get involved. After that, there are photos and reflections from events that took place in March. Thank you so much for reading!

Important Dates in April

People's Climate March on April 29!

April 29 is the date of the People’s Climate Mobilization, a major march in Washington, D.C., when we will come together with hundreds of thousands of people to reject Trump’s attack on our communities and climate, and push forward with our vision of a clean energy economy that works for all. Additional marches and actions will be held all over.

Ways to get involved for Earth Month

There are many things we can do every day to celebrate and protect the planet this month. Earth Month serves as a reminder to makes things part of your daily routine so that every month can be treated as earth month, every day as earth day. Make more changes to your daily habits, encourage your friends and family to do the same. Read articles, news, books, films, and learn about the injustices happening to our environment and what you can do to help in your local communities and on a larger scale. Be a voice for nature and protect your home. Join the
March for Science, the People's Climate March, volunteer with an organization like
350.org, and find and/or host Earth Day events in your area.

New York based??

If you are based in New York, check the NY Parks Department volunteer calendar here
for ways you can get involved during Earth Month, including tree plantings and spring cleaning. It's a wonderful way to do your part, and there are activities for all ages.

Michigan based??

The MI Earth Day Fest is one of the planet's largest and liveliest Earth Day celebrations. This high-profile community event highlights the efforts of area businesses and community organizations to Make Earth Day Matter.

The festival offers a wide variety of exhibits, attractions and activities. Admission is free!

Reflecting on March

The month of March was packed with events, fundraisers, concerts, etc. Below are some photos, reflections, and reviews. Thank you so much for reading.

Rebecca Foon and Jesse Paris Smith at Wasserman Projects

It was really wonderful to have the opportunity to perform at Wasserman Projects, a beautiful gallery in Eastern Market, Detroit. The exhibit was inspiring and everyone was so kind. In trying to decide what to do, I had a great experience of learning about the poet, Philip Levine, the 'Walt Whitman of the Detroit auto industry.' Reading three of his poems against the backdrop of the show, 'After Industry,' felt very fitting. If you don't know of Philip Levine, please read about him and his poems here: https://www.poemhunter.com/philip-levine/

Orbitsuns and Family in Detroit

My mom and her band had at a show at Royal Oak Music Theatre on March 11th which was such an amazing time filled with family fun and familiar faces. The night before Lenny joined Jackson's band, The Orbitsuns for a 3 hour set in Ferndale! Such a great night :)

Tibet House 30th Anniversary Event

On March 16 we all gathered at Carnegie Hall for the 30th Anniversary of Tibet House US, also celebrating Philip Glass's 80th birthday. It was wonderful to perform Elemental Prayer and Snow Lion with Tenzin Choegyal, Lavinia Meijer, and the Scorcchio Quartet. It was a great gathering and beautiful evening overall.
Here is a review from our dear friend, Tendor Dorjee

Additional Reviews

Tibetan Home of Hope: An Evening in Tibet

Two days after the Tibet House event, Tenzin, Rick Patrick, and l drove up to Nyack to perform for the 11th Annual Benefit Party for
Tibetan Home of Hope. It was such a warm hearted evening that helped to support 140 children in Tibet to have food, shelter, and a year of education. They do incredible work year round. There are a variety of ways you can help if you have the means, even $5 is helpful. And $800 supports a child at the school for an entire year. Please support THOH if you can!!

An evening for Emily Dickinson: Patti Smith and Jesse Paris Smith at the Morgan Library

My mom and I were so inspired as we were preparing for this show, reading many books, doing research on the works and life of Emily Dickinson. It was a wonderful experience to read and share her letters, poems, stories and reflections from those who knew her, and songs related to aspects of her life.

Please visit the Morgan library and see the Emily Dickinson exhibits if you can Info here.

FORM Festival Preview

Pathway to Paris is doing a day of cultural programming at a festival May 12-14 called FORM, which takes place at Arcosanti, an eco-city in Arizona. On March 24th, a group of us went to Los Angeles for a preview event to share some of what people can expect for May. If you are interested in learning more about the festival, or signing up to join, check it out here. We will be posting our full programming schedule in the coming days.

March was an amazing month of music and celebration. I got to be part of so many concerts, not only as a performer but also as an audience member. I got to watch my family perform in Michigan, see Lenny play guitar with Jackson's band, all of the incredible performers at the Tibet House event, at Tibetan Home of Hope, and I also was able to see Wilco, The Zombies, and Green Day. So much incredible music and such motivating performance. I am so deeply thankful to the countless people who worked so hard to make all of these things possible and who continue to work so hard every day to bring joyous and hopeful times into an often scary and demoralizing world. I've learned so much from you all. Let's all do our best and continue every day to strive for more.

Thank you for reading!! I hope you had a wonderful month of March, and I hope you have an incredibly inspiring month of April. Enjoy celebrating Earth and Poetry month!